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[Dead]
[Cause of Death: Skull crushed by a radioactive roe deer]
[Death Reward: Strength +1]
[Beginning transmigration…]
The floating text in front of his eyes made Jack Miller relax, even in his "dead" state.
Good. Looks like his guess was right.
Only being killed by something else would trigger his cheat ability.
As long as that was confirmed, everything else would be much easier.
Next, he just needed to figure out how the death rewards actually worked.
He already had a rough theory about that.
Transmigration, as always, came fast and without a sound.
Before Jack could finish thinking it through, the next jump was already complete.
The flickering text updated again.
[Transmigration Successful]
[Current World: The Amazing Spider-Man]
The feeling of solid ground returned beneath his feet.
Noise flooded his ears.
The glowing text faded, and light slowly filled his vision.
It looked like… an American high school.
Not small, either. Students were everywhere, coming and going, full of energy.
Ahead of him, near a set of outdoor round tables, a crowd of students had gathered, watching something.
"Eat it! Eat it! Eat it!"
Suddenly, the crowd erupted into a rhythmic chant.
Jack had always had a good memory. Anything he'd seen in his past life, he could basically recall.
Now that he knew he was in The Amazing Spider-Man, and comparing it to what he was seeing…
He immediately placed the timeline.
This was early. Very early.
Peter Parker hadn't been bitten yet. He wasn't Spider-Man. Not New York's friendly neighborhood hero.
No Spider-Man meant no Lizard, either.
Which meant Jack would have to stay in this world for a while.
He guessed the rewards he got from dying were tied to what killed him.
So, if he wanted to maximize gains…
If he had to die, it should be at the hands of Spider-Man… or the Lizard.
Preferably Spider-Man.
Thinking that, Jack quickened his pace and pushed toward the crowd.
"Move, move. If you don't let me through, I'm dropping my pants and taking a dump right here."
At first, nobody paid attention to him.
But the moment he said that, the students around him instantly backed off two meters, staring at him in shock.
Jack nodded in satisfaction and casually let go of his waistband.
At the center of the crowd—
A tall, muscular guy with a buzz cut was holding a skinny student upside down, pressing his face toward a lunch tray.
Flash Thompson, bullying a kid named Gordon.
According to the original plot, Peter Parker would show up next, try to stop him, and get beaten up for it.
But watching this scene made Jack think of some unpleasant childhood memories.
Also… he hadn't eaten in two days.
He was really hungry.
Seeing Flash about to shove Gordon's face into a plate of spaghetti, Jack rushed forward—
—and grabbed the spaghetti instead.
"Hey! What are you doing?!"
Flash froze for a second, staring at this oddly dressed stranger, clearly confused.
"You here to stand up for Gordon?"
He frowned, already annoyed.
Jack waved him off. "Don't mind me. I'm just here to eat."
And just like that, he picked up a fork and started digging into the spaghetti like nobody else existed.
When you're starving, nothing matters more than food.
Whatever else was going on could wait until after he ate.
The pasta actually tasted pretty good. Jack devoured it in no time.
Setting the empty plate down, he glanced around—
—and spotted an untouched burger nearby.
Still not full, he grabbed it and shouted, "Whose burger is this? If nobody claims it, I'm eating it!"
"3… 2… 1!"
"Alright! No one wants it. Don't mind if I do!"
And he really didn't. He took a massive bite, swallowing a third of it in one go.
"…Where the hell did this bum come from?"
Flash frowned even harder, looking at Jack with disgust.
But he still didn't stop bullying Gordon.
He shoved the skinny kid down and forced him toward the now-empty spaghetti plate, trying to make him lick it clean.
The crowd started chanting again. "Lick it! Lick it! Lick it!"
"Hey! Put him down!"
At last, Peter Parker pushed his way through the crowd.
Even without powers, Peter had always been kind. Seeing this, he stepped in without hesitation.
Flash ignored him and smirked. "Parker! Perfect timing. Take a picture. Use your camera."
Peter shook his head. "I'm not doing that."
Then, seeing Flash still not letting go, Peter raised his voice. "Hey! Put him down, Thompson!"
The sudden shout dampened the crowd's excitement. A few students groaned in disappointment.
Flash glanced around, then back at Peter, feeling challenged. His mood instantly worsened.
"Bang!"
He casually tossed Gordon to the ground, then turned and walked straight toward Peter.
"Hey, man—"
Peter was still checking on Gordon, about to help him up—
When Flash suddenly shoved him and threw a heavy punch!
Thud!
Caught off guard, Peter was knocked flat.
"Ooooh!"
The crowd erupted again.
"Get up, Parker!" Flash yelled, then slammed another punch into Peter's stomach just as he tried to rise.
The blow sent Peter collapsing again, clutching his abdomen in pain.
Flash raised his fist for another hit—
—but someone grabbed his arm.
He turned—
—and saw that same Asian guy in a filthy blue uniform.
"You—"
Before he could finish, Jack grinned and swung the metal lunch tray straight at his face.
CLANG!
The tray dented on impact.
"AAAGH! My nose!"
The hit was brutal. Flash went down instantly, clutching his bleeding nose and screaming.
"That's what you get for wasting food. Call me the Food Protector, thanks."
Jack bent down, scooped up a handful of dirt from a nearby flower bed—
—and, under everyone's confused stares, hurled it straight at the crowd.
"Ahh!!"
Students got hit full in the face with dirt and grass, scrambling back while cursing him out.
Jack didn't care.
The more they yelled, the harder he threw.
He only stopped once the crowd scattered in fear.
He hadn't done it for any grand reason.
He just couldn't stand them.
When someone's being bullied, the people cheering and watching aren't any better than the bully.
And bullies don't deserve courtesy.
If this had been a bathroom instead of a courtyard…
He wouldn't have been throwing dirt.
Clapping the dust off his hands, Jack grabbed a bottle of drink from the table and turned to leave.
At that moment, Peter, who had witnessed everything, stood up and called out, "Hey! Thanks! What's your name? I'm Parker—Peter Parker."
Jack turned and waved at him. "Nice to meet you, Peter. I'm Jack. One day, if you can kill me with your own hands, we'll be brothers. I'd really appreciate it, haha!"
His tone was full of genuine anticipation.
Peter stared at him… then at his ragged, almost homeless appearance.
"…No offense, sir, but… are you mentally okay?"
"I'm not crazy. I just really want to get beaten to death."
Jack flashed a bright grin, then turned and walked off.
Watching him leave, Peter couldn't help but feel a little conflicted.
Then—
Jack suddenly turned back and walked over again.
With a completely serious expression, he said, "I'm going to pick up trash for a living. Give me your address so I can contact you later. You look pretty broke too. Want me to support you with my trash-picking?"
"…Huh?"
Peter blinked, completely thrown off by the sudden shift.
His gut told him one thing—
He'd just been targeted by a very troublesome person.
"....."